I decided to check on my Steam Client and saw an ongoing Capcom Publisher Sale. It might seem like nothing to the naked eye, but it also left me with questions. After all, the Ubisoft Publisher Sale happened only a few weeks before that.
Why the sudden back-to-back sale? Is it related to the Microsoft Activision-Blizzard Acquisition? It all feels too rushed, considering these are also two major publishers in the video game industry. Yet, it might just be me thinking about things that aren’t there.
In any case, Capcom has an ongoing sale that includes plenty of its major video game titles. The titles also include the famous Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter franchises.
Is it a Marketing Stunt?
Make no mistake, Capcom is one of the oldest video game publishers in the industry. It might all just be a marketing stunt with the sudden interest in Street Fighter 6. After all, who wouldn’t want to try their hand at Street Fighter?
However, the sale does include all of their published titles. It is also worth noting that there is often a rotation of sales on Steam now and then. You might log in to the app one day and find discounts supporting independent developers.
Yet, it begs the question: why are two giant publishers having a sale? It might just be my imagination, or it could also be the Monster Hunter: Rise DLC titled Sunbreak. We might also see a recent spike of newcomers for the Monster Hunter franchise.
However, the Ubisoft Publisher Sale was, more or less, understandable. Who wouldn’t want to cash out before a large corporation decides to buy Activision-Blizzard? After all, it is home to the Call of Duty franchise. So, is Capcom doing the same for its released titles?
Does Capcom Feel Threatened by Microsoft?
Last year, in January 2022, Microsoft announced it would purchase Activision-Blizzard in a $68.7 billion deal. It is also a terrifying transaction because it would mean Microsoft monopolizes a significant portion of the video game industry.
Watchdogs like the UK Competition and Markets Authority also deemed the deal as a threat. Currently, they are investigating the number of issues that could come with the acquisition. Alongside the Ubisoft Publisher Sale, it would make sense for Sony to bring in more money.
Now, rumors spread in the latter half of 2022 that Microsoft would aim to acquire Capcom. Although it is difficult for the tech giant to acquire a renowned publisher, Mircosoft is full steam ahead.
